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Little Things
This is a curated collection of the finest details in designs, noteworthy observations, exceptional products insights, and other interesting things that I encounter on a daily basis.
Confusion flag
Non-functional Chair
Normon Door
Silent push down mechanism
Trello - Card Sorting
Confusion flag
I recently came across a 'Flag' indicator at a restaurant that showed the status of my food - whether it was full or not, as depicted in the image. At first, I found it interesting, cool, and innovative. However, when I tried to understand its mechanism, I was left confused. The 'Flag' has two states - up and down, and is accompanied by the caption 'Turn down to stop'. While it may seem straightforward, the ambiguity arises when changing the flag's state to 'up', which indicates that I've had my full and need to stop eating. "Clear and concise micro copy is crucial for improving conversion rates. When designing any product, website, or application, it's important to keep in mind that users prefer short and to-the-point messages that are easy to understand." #Observations #Idea
Courtesy: Own
Upload Date: 2023-02-17
Non-functional Chair
I recently encountered a chair in a lounge area of a restaurant cafe that had a fancy and minimalistic design with intriguing design choices. However, when I sat on it, I found it extremely uncomfortable and had to stand up after just a couple of minutes. The chair featured a threaded backrest and an unfilled metal rod on the seat rest area, which appeared to be intentional design choices aimed at creating a visually interesting and minimalist look. However, while these design elements contributed to its unique appearance, they failed to provide the essential comfort and support that a chair should offer. While it is commendable that designers often explore new materials and forms to push the boundaries of traditional design, it is crucial to strike a balance between aesthetics and functionality. In the case of this particular chair, it seems that the focus leaned too heavily towards aesthetics, neglecting the importance of usability. It's not uncommon to come across design pieces that prioritize form over function. While they can be visually appealing, they may not always meet our practical needs for comfort and usability.
Courtesy: Own
Upload Date: 2023-06-27
Normon Door
I have encountered with this door in my office premise. Yes, as they call it "THE NORMAN DOOR" - This type of door is designed with clear signifiers and indicators, which are easy to understand. However, I have faced some confusion as the handle runs from edge to edge, and it's difficult to determine which side is the hinge and which side is the open side. As a result, I always end up pushing the door from the middle, and then lean towards the side where it rotates. But what if the bar on the rotating side was half the width, it would be more obvious which side is the open side. This is because the narrower bar would indicate the direction of rotation, making it easier to understand which side to push or pull. In addition, other design solutions could also be explored, such as adding color contrast between the hinge side and the open side of the door or using different textures or materials for the two sides to create a more tactile distinction. Affordance: the qualities or properties of an object that define its possible uses or make clear how it can or should be used
Courtesy: Office Door
Upload Date: 2023-02-17
Silent push down mechanism
The small push button is designed to hold the cap in place when the container is closed. When the cap is in position, the weight of the cap activates the button, causing the container to close quietly and completely without producing any noise. This feature ensures that the container can be closed securely without disturbing those nearby.
Courtesy: Own
Upload Date: 2023-02-17
Trello - Card Sorting
When you drag and hold a list or card in Trello, you may notice that the list tilts until it is positioned somewhere on the board. This design feature is based on a practical observation from brainstorming with sticky-notes. When we arrange sticky-notes in order or by theme, we often tilt and paste them at different angles. This small detail can make a big difference in how we perceive and interact with our ideas. In Trello, the tilting of lists and cards helps to create a more intuitive and natural interface, which can improve the user's experience and make it easier to organize and manage their projects.